Defence – Northern Territory Solar Farms Operation and Maitenance Market Sounding

Overview The Department of Defence, representing the Commonwealth of Australia, is conducting a market sounding to assist in considering a future procurement for operations and maintenance services for solar farms within the Northern Territory. The Commonwealth invites participation from persons or entities (Respondents) who may be interested in providing all or part of the required services. About Defence has renewable energy assets on the Defence estate within the Darwin region in the Northern Territory. These assets are operational hybrid renewable energy facilities connected to the Power and Water Corporation network and comprise solar photovoltaic generation and battery energy storage. The facilities support the energy requirements of the respective Defence sites and are also capable of exporting electricity to the Northern Territory electricity network. They operate in accordance with applicable connection agreements, Generator Performance Standards, System Control Operating Protocols and other regulatory and operational requirements. Purpose Defence is undertaking early market engagement to understand industry interest in a future operations and maintenance opportunity, including whether the market can provide an integrated prime contractor service and the availability of providing or engaging specialist and local subcontractor capability in the Northern Territory. Scope The facilities are multi-megawatt, behind-the-meter renewable energy systems comprising solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays, battery energy storage systems (BESS), inverters, transformers, switchgear, protection systems, revenue meters, communications infrastructure, supervisory control and data acquisition systems (SCADA), capacity forecasting systems and associated civil infrastructure. The facilities are connected to the Northern Territory electricity network and integrated with Defence high-voltage electrical infrastructure, and the services required extend beyond routine solar farm maintenance. The scope includes: Day-to-day operation and management of the facilities Network and stakeholder coordination Regulatory compliance Remote monitoring and incident response Asset management Site, land and environmental management activities, including vegetation, weed, pest and fire-risk management Ongoing engagement with Defence, network operators and regulators Maintaining suitably qualified local and specialist resources capable of providing timely onsite response and intervention to support routine operations, planned outages, incident management and emergency events Operation, monitoring and maintenance of the facilities, including the delivery of scheduled and reactive maintenance services, in accordance with good industry practice, applicable laws, manufacturer requirements, approved operating procedures, compliance obligations, connection arrangements and relevant regulatory requirements Objectives The principal objectives of the services would be to: Maintain safe, reliable and efficient operation Maximise asset availability and renewable energy generation Maintain the facilities within approved operating limits and performance requirements Support ongoing compliance with Connection Agreements, Generator Performance Standards, System Control Operating Protocols, generator licence obligations, compliance monitoring plans and other applicable regulatory requirements Maintain the security and operational performance of the facilities, including associated monitoring, communications and control systems Provide technical oversight of third-party activities and advise on operational, engineering, compliance and asset performance matters that may affect the facilities Minimise disruption to Defence operations and activities Maintain the condition, performance and useful life of the assets through effective operations, maintenance and asset management practices Identify, manage and rectify defects, faults, risks and emerging reliability issues in a timely manner Undertake effective site, land and environmental management activities, including vegetation, weed, pest and general site maintenance Maintain effective engagement and coordination with Defence, network operators, regulators, OEMs, subcontractors and other key stakeholders Maintain complete, accurate and auditable operational, maintenance, compliance and performance records Contract Terms and Conditions Timeframe for delivery: 2027 to 2032, with potential for extension options Estimated value (AUD): $4,000,000.00 to $8,000,000.00